Bag frame structure and fastener therefor



I rave nib? WJW March 21, 1933. w J. WALKER BAG FRAME STRUCTURE AND FASTENER THEREFOR Filed Sept. 18

Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNITED s'rarss rsrsnr WILLIAM J. WALKER, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO "UNITED-CARR FASTENER CORPORATION, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS BAG FRAME STRUCTURE AND FASTENER'THEREFCR Application filed September 18, 1931. SeriaLNo. 563,4;73. i I

My invention aims to provide improvements in bag frame structures and relates more particularly to bag frame fasteners.

In the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention Figure 1 is an elevation view of-& bag structure and fastening means for the same;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 showing the normally bowed relation of one frame member to the other;

Fig. 3 is a plan section taken on'the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the be frame structure in partially unlocked position; and

Fig. i is an enlarged section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

My invention relates to separable fastening means for bag frame structures, as illustrated by the drawing, and is particularly, though not exclusively, adapted for use in connection with ladies hand-bags and the like.

Referring now to the particular embodiment of my invention illustrated l have shown a pair of inverted U-shalpedframe members 1 and 2 secured together at their ends in the usual manner so that they may have a hinged movement relative to each other, as best shown in Figure 1.

The particular separable fastening means illustrated in the drawing comprises two similar box-like members 3 and 4 supported by the frame members 1 and 2, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and a. Each of the box-like members is hollow and open adjacent to the ends which face each other and are supported by sheet metal supporting members 5 and 6, as best shown in Fig. 4. Each of the supporting members 5 and 6 has a fiat upper flange por tion to which one of the box-like members 3 and 4 is attached in any suitable manner and has also an L-shaped portion (Fig. 4;) which fits into and is secured to one of the frame members 1 and 2. The box-like member 4 has mounted therein a longitudinally operable bolt 7 normally pressed toward the open end of the box-like member 4 by a spring 8. The bolt 7 has a reduced portion 9 extending therefrom through the spring 8 and out through a hole in the closed end 10 of the boxlike member 4, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. Any suitable means may be provided for opframe eration of the bolt against the pressure of the spring 8 but I have preferred to provide a ball 11 and a chain 12 arrangement (Figs. 1 and 3) for purposes hereinafter described in connection with the operation of the device. The free end 13 ,ofthe-bolt 7 isprovided with a sloping face so that thebolt may be automatically engaged with the box-like member. 3 when the frame members are pressed toward each other.

While the frame members 1 and 2 may be made according to the conventional flat manner, I prefer to form them sothat they are normally bowed slightly away from each other (Fig. 2) for purposes hereinafter described in connection with the operation of the device. p

In operation my improved structure is simillustrated, especially when theframe membersare bowed with relation to each other so that they-are held under compression when the fastening means is engaged. 7

Assuming thatthe frame members are bowed, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and that the fastening means usedris that illustrated in the drawing, the frame members maybe locked together by merely'pressing them towar-d 'each other until the bolt snaps by the edge 14: (Fig. 8) of the box-like member 3 and into the space 15 providedin that member. When the frame members 1 and 2 are thus locked together under compression by thebolt 7 separation of the frame members may be readily and easily accomplished by holding the framemembers at the left-hand side and pullin upon the ball 11 with the right hand, as illustrated in Fig. 3, thereby to release the bolt 7 from engagement with the box-like member 3. Thereafter if the ball 11 is released the frame members will in the meantime have forced themselves apart, as illustrated in Fig.8, so that thebag will automatically open because of the fact that the cam surface at the end 13 of the bolt 7 would engage the edge 14 of the box-like member 3. Under these conditions the spring 8 would force the latch 7 toward the box-like I ple and efficient and it should be understood that my invention is not necessarily limited to member a and thereby wedge the members 3 and 4E apart transversely. It should be understood that the various other types of cooperating fastening members may be used to accomplish the results just described.

The specific fastening means illustrated and described is particularly adapted for use in connection with frame members which are normally flat and not bowed with respect to each other as described above. This will be understood by those skilled in the art because 7 a bag using the type of fastening means illustrated may be readily opened by simply grasping the ball 11 and pulling it longitudinally relative to the frame members and at the same time swinging it forwardly or away from the frame member 2. Such an operation would release the bolt 7 and at the same time pull the frame member 2 away from the frame member 1. With this last described operation in mind the advantages of applicants operating member 11 being connected to the bolt by a flexible device will be readily understood.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited thereby, because the scope of my invention is best defined bythe following claim.

I claim:

A bag frame structure including a pair of frame members hinged to each other at their ends and normally slightly bowed away from each other lengthwise, separable fastener members attached to said frame members for holding them together under compression when the fastener members are interlocked and hand operable means for unlocking the fastener members, said bowed frame members operating automatically to move the separable fastener members apart after the fastener members are unlocked.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM J. WALKER. 

